Back for another year with a lineup of arts and entertainment for everyone, Norfolk & Norwich Festival returns from May 12-28 with unmissable events on your doorstep.
As always, this year’s festival features a variety of theatre, circus, music and literature from across the globe, bringing world premieres to the county as well as showcasing them alongside some of the best of culture born right here.
Take a look at some of our top picks for local bands and Norfolk premieres…
Sir Thomas Browne: The Opium of Time
Bestselling writer and doctor Gavin Francis examines the extraordinary life and work of Norwich-based physician, writer and polymath Thomas Browne through a personal, 21st century lens, at the Adnams Spiegeltent on Sunday, May 28 at 10.30am.
In this event, Gavin will draw on his own experiences as a modern-day writer and doctor to illustrate that although many centuries separate him from Browne, they share a fundamental curiosity about the world and about people. Gavin’s newly released book, The Opium of Time, examines Browne’s work.
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682) was an English physician, wordsmith, and polymath who contributed hundreds of words to the English language (such as medical, electricity, migrant and computer).
12 Ensemble & GBSR Duo
Featuring a world premiere piece co-commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival, 12 Ensemble (strings) and GBSR Duo (percussion and piano) take to the stage fresh from recently collaborating on Oliver Leith’s critically-acclaimed Last Days at the Royal Opera House on Friday, May 19 at 8pm at St Andrew’s & St Blackfriars’ Hall, Norwich.
Exploring the heavenly and the hellish, the programme presents works by five composers working between classical and non-classical genres.
The programme includes the world premiere of Laurence Osborn’s TOMB!, a new work that uses the historic tombeau genre (a composition commemorating the death of a notable individual) to take a sideways look at classical music’s fixation with death.
A unique experience also forms part of the bill as Brian Eno and Harold Budd’s Ambient 2 is performed in the centre of the hall enveloped by the audience on all sides.
BBC Introducing Presents Band Night
The Adnams Spiegeltent is the place to see the leading bands from Norfolk’s thriving live music scene. Programmed by BBC Introducing Norfolk, some of the hottest talent takes to the stage on Monday, May 22 at 7.30pm in an evening of leading music and artists that are paving the way to be the next big thing.
The Band Stand
Enjoy more live music from the very best of local artists, set in the beautiful surroundings of the Festival Gardens, Chapelfield.
Take in some alfresco tunes, as The Band Stand returns for another year featuring young music-makers from Norfolk. The perfect setting to enjoy a drink and a pizza and soak up the festival atmosphere.
The Band Stand will be open from May 18-21 and May 25-28.
Jessica Walker & Luke Styles – the People’s Cabaret
This event, held at the Adnams Spiegeltent on Tuesday, May 23 at 7.30pm, marks the culmination of over three years of work with communities in Norfolk by singer Jessica Walker and composer Luke Styles.
On this night, they will be joined by the Chroma Ensemble for the event, which will be the climax of the project. This world premiere draws on parallels between contemporary events and the Britain and America of the 1930s, and draws relevance from the songs of Weill, Eisler, Spoliansky, Hollaender and Brecht – speaking against racism, capitalism and oppression.
To find out more about Norfolk & Norwich Festival, and to book tickets, visit nnfestival.org.uk
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